09 Aug The story of Ajuju and Hawassa Hope – Capturing Grace in Ethiopia for Hawassa Hope

Greg Knight with one of the children waiting for adoption at Ajuju Orphanage

Eight years ago, when Greg and Charisa knight adopted 9 month old Teshale from Ajuju orphanage in Ethiopia, they could have never imagined the plan God had for their lives.

Teshale’s adoption took several months and two trips to Hawassa, Ethiopia. At that time international adoptions were coming to a close in the Sidama region. Only adoptions with medical issues could be processed. Ultimately, it was a doctors medical diagnosis that allowed Teshale’s adoption to be finalized.

The integration of Teshale into his new family followed a 14 hour flight that included bouts of explosive diarrhea and a illness attributed to tainted formula. In time, life for the Knights in the US stabilized but God kept the name Ajuju on Greg and Charisa’s hearts. The name of the orphanage in Hawassa just would not go away.

With the Knights work in Zambia coming to a close, God prompted them to reach out to the tiny orphanage of 13 children in Hawassa and see how they could help. Eyasu, the Ajuju Orphanage founder, responded with “we need formula” but was clear to the Knights that much more was needed.

Through the providence of God, the stateside ministry of Hawassa Hope was founded. The unique partnership between Hawassa Hope and Ajuju has provided the funding and oversight needed for Ajuju to expand it’s impact. Ajuju now includes child sponsorship that lifts the whole family, The Elsabet initiative for pregnant mothers, clean water projects and more.

The once struggling orphanage of thirteen now cares for 37 children and has seen 90 in-country adoptions over the last six years, 21 since January. Hawassa Hope is now sponsoring 300 children which translates into 300 families now having hope for the future.

I am excited to share stories from my interviews with single moms, father’s and child sponsorship graduates whose lives have been rescued by people who are the hands and feet of Jesus.

The harsh environment that Hawassa Hope is the hands an feet of Jesus to.

Families that live in the countryside of Hawassa Ethiopia.

Precious mom who will soon graduate from Hawassa Hope’s Elsabet program

Ajuju founders Eyasu and his wife Askale

The Ajuju family (staff)

Greg Knight addressing the Ajuju staff when we arrived

Eyasu addressing the Ajuju staff when we arrived

Azimera Alemu, a nanny at Ajuju, I look forward to sharing her story

Ayinalem Mitiku, the Cook at Ajuju, I look forward to sharing her story

Ayinalem Alemayehu, in charge of the laundry, she washes numerous diapers each day with a big smile

One of the Ladies whose life has been lifted by the Community Sponsorship Program

One of the moms in the Hawassa Hope Elsabet program

One of the children whose life has been lifted by the Community Sponsorship Program

Greg Knight and Teshe in front of moms who are in the Hawassa Hope Elsabet program

Two of the children being sponsored were accompanied by their fathers and we had the opportunity to hear how their lives have been impacted. These fathers had walked for hours to see us upon hearing of our presence…

One of the men whose life has been lifted by the Community Sponsorship Program – In his words – “my family now has protection from the rain, a roof over our head, we have three goats that feed us. Before, I was dying from tuberculosis, now I am receiving medicine and I want to live for my family. Before I was hopeless… but now I have hope. I can now be a father to my son Samuel”

One of the men whose life has been lifted by the Community Sponsorship Program – In his words – “before Hawassa Hope, my family was starving, I worked the land of others and had no home. I now have my own land and three cows that feed us with their milk. Our village now has clean water. I cannot say how grateful I am for Hawassa Hope, I don’t have the words”

Families whose lives has been lifted by the Community Sponsorship Program

Families whose lives has been lifted by the Community Sponsorship Program

Families whose lives has been lifted by the Community Sponsorship Program During my time in the villages that surround Hawassa it was my privilege to sit with families that are being lifted by the Hawassa Hope Community Sponsorship program and hear their stories. These families walked 4-5 hours to meet with us when they heard that we were coming to visit their village. I was blown away by their gratitude. Here are the words from Bayitu as she sat beside her son. “My Husband passed away from a heart attack. He Left me with four children and no hope. I had no chickens and no animals to provide food for our children. No one approached us for coffee or to talk because we were so poor. My husbands father killed himself. I am so grateful to receive help (community sponsorship program) from Hawassa Hope. My children go to school and have food (milk) from the cow given us by Hawassa Hope. Now, everyday, more light comes into my life. The first goat I was given by the program had twins, now I have three. My neighbors saw this as a sign of Gods hand on my life. Seeing the help that Hawassa Hope provided made my neighbors realize how wrong they were to treat us this way. They have apologized and are now my friends. I wish my husband and father in-law were here and could see how god has provided in my families life. I am so grateful to God for you.”

Samuel and Fakora, graduates from the Hawassa Hope Community Sponsorship program whose stories I am excited to tell in one of my next posts

Caleb Spence visiting with the family of his sponsor child Andualem Esrale, I look forward to telling their story in one of my next posts

Families that live in the countryside of Hawassa Ethiopia.

Trekking to the villages around Hawassa, Ethiopia

I hope these photographs allow you to feel the love I experienced in the villages around Hawassa, Ethiopia.